The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-31
A FIGHT WITH OUTLAWS.
TEXAS POSSES TRYING TO RUN
DOWN A BAD GANG.

The Band MagnificentIy Mounted and
Well Supplied With Money-They
are as Bold as Lions, and Fight Like
Veritable Demons of the Plains.
CHICAGO, Aug 30.-The Times Houston
Tex, special says: ION Wednesday last
four Of gang of horse thieves which had
been making raids near here for some time
rode to Thompson's Switch, small station
seventy seven miles from Houston, mounted
on thoroughbred horses. They ordered din
ner, after which they got drunk, fired Off
their pistols and terrified the inhabitants Of
the settlement, when they rode off in a
northwesterly direction. On Saturday
John Williford, farmer and stockman Of
OPPRESSION, reported to Sheriff Ellis that he
had two horses stolen from him Thursday,
and that the thieves were still in the vicinity
of his farm
SHERIFFs ON THEIR HEELS.
Sheriff Ellis at once left for Navassla,
where he organized posse and started af-
ter the outlaws, il the hope of heading
them off. Yesterday morning two men
rode into Houston, and notified Deputy
Sheriff Albert Erickson that the outlaws
were camped at Eureka, five miles from this
city: Deputy Erickson mounted IA horse
and Immediately started for the camp of
the outlaws. On arriving at the spot where
the outlaws were camped, Erickson discov-
cred that the gang had gone. After riding
about for some time the Deputy found three
men canped under n tree on the prairie. He
at once telegraphed Houston for as
sistance, and posse, under command
of Capt Lubbock Immediately left for the
scene OF action. On arriving at Eureka the
posse parted, Deputy Sheriff Erickson and
part of the posse proceeding in the direc-
tion of Smokeyville, and the remainder lln-
der Capt. Lubbock heading for the prairie.
A RUNNING FIGHT.
1.-THE latter posse soon struck the trail and
in short while located the outlaws, who
were still camped under the lone tree.
| Capt. Lubbock then formed his posse in
line about fifteen feet apart, and advising
| all to reserve their fire until within thirty
yards of the outlaws, began advancing to-
ward the camp. The outlaws seeing this,
quickly saddled their animals and started
out at Il quick galop. After riding
a few minutes the leader of the outlaws,
who was riding a magnificent roam horse,
| threw his Winchester on his left arm, and
slightly turning in his saddle, began shoot
| ing his rifle, sending shot after shot at the
officers. The other outlaws, who were
armed with six shooters, also began firing
| at the posse. Capt. Lubbocks men reserved
their fire as ordered, until it was evident
| That the outlaws would reach the timber.
| The command TO fire on the outlaws was
| then given, and about forty or fifty shots
were exchanged, the outlaws halting and
making desperate fight.
THE CASUALTIES.
During the sSirmish the horse of Capt.
| Lubbock was killed One of the German
| citizens, named Kassner, who lives near
| Hockey. and accompanied the party, was
wounded in the arm by rifle ball After
| the encounter on the prairie, Capt. Lub-
| book returned to the city, and another party
started out in pursuit 1t is learned that
| the Sergeant of n convict camp near Ciollis,
on the Internationss road, had a pack of
blood lounds on tfS trail, but withdrew
them for fear the outlaws would kill them.
From the peculiar method the outlaws had
of lying low on their horses, and their
quick wheeling in running and firing, it is
thought they were part of the old
Sam Bass gang, who defied the
State authorities of Texas few
years ago. From large rolls
of money displayed by the outlaws on their
visit and drunken spree at Thompson's
Switch, it is confidently thought that they
are the same gang who robbed the Southern
Pacific train at Flatonia in June. A dis
patch was received from Sheriff Ellis at
Cyresss last night stating that he was on a hot
| trail, and expected to bag his game before
daylight. The robbers are plucly and des-
perate, and bloody battle is anticipated
should they be discovered